Rand’s Story: A Life Like the Appalachian Trail

Joshua Routh grew up in North St. Louis County, where creativity wasn’t part of the neighborhood curriculum. At 12, a clown class changed everything—turning a curious kid into someone who could bring ...

25 Apr 23min

Kenneth’s Story: From Strict Upbringing to 45 CountriesRaised by a single mother in Louisville, one of seven kids, Kenneth learned discipline early—whether he liked it or not. At 18, the military wasn...

18 Apr 21min

From teaching underwater to teaching in a classroom, Lou Hirsch took a path that doesn’t fit the usual script—and that’s exactly what makes it work.Before academia, Lou was a dive master, instructor, ...

11 Apr 26min

A small town, a football scholarship, and a choice that didn’t make sense to most.Luke Mickelson grew up in a place where hard work was expected, problems were yours to solve, and showing up for other...

4 Apr 27min

Martin Palethorpe did everything right—career, promotions, success on paper. And still, it wasn’t enough.He shares what happens when achievement stops feeling like fulfillment. From a disciplined chil...

29 Mar 21min

A childhood between Idaho and New Jersey shaped a quiet sense of distance early on—never fully rooted in one place. Then, at twelve, a violent car accident left Dr. Dana Cowles feeling helpless in a w...

28 Mar 26min

Born into an Indian family with roots in Vietnam, Vanita Prisha Daryanani grew up in Taiwan—learning Mandarin, celebrating Chinese New Year, and navigating what it meant to look different from everyon...

21 Mar 23min

A waitress at 16. Running federal tech projects with no formal training. Buying a $50M software company on instinct. Starting over after a 28-year marriage ended.Stacie Shifflett has built and rebuilt...

14 Mar 24min